Published to coincide with two exhibitions in Madrid and Tangiers. Bajo el mismo mar is a long short story written by Ernesto Bottini and illustrated by Baptiste Laurent. Claiming to be a collaborative work, the short novel was written as the series of paintings progressed, and vice versa.

The discovery of a new species in the Mediterranean revolutionizes international haute cuisine and becomes the perfect product for its constant demands for sophistication and exclusivity. Sparus nigrum will be the protagonist of a major culinary festival featuring the world’s leading chefs. But behind the fish and its virtues lies a disturbing fact that not everyone seems to accept. A film version of the novel is being developed by Norwegian production company Evil DogHouse.

“The first person to spot the fish was Carlo Lombardi, a letter carrier and fisherman on the island of Lampedusa. He caught it near Faraglione. In other circumstances, he would have thrown it back into the sea, as he usually does with small or unwanted fish, but this time he decided to take it home…”